U.N. Torture Panel Questions Vatican on Handling of Sex-Abuse Scandal

Holy See Argues Its Jurisdiction in Applying International Torture Treaty Is Limited to Vatican City State

By

Liam Moloney

Updated May 5, 2014 4:49 p.m. ET

ROME—The Vatican sought to defend itself as it came under questioning by a United Nations panel Monday over whether it violated an international treaty against torture in its handling of a clerical sex-abuse scandal.

The hearing was the second U.N. committee appearance by Holy See representatives this year after a children's rights panel in January also called the Vatican to account for its response to allegations around the world of child sexual abuse by clergy. The U.N. Committee Against Torture heard Vatican officials...